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The elder statesman, Höfner has been flying the rock ’n’ roll flag for Germany since 1887, and though the best-known design is Paul McCartney’s 500/1 bass, its Chinese electrics kick ass, too.

“It’s the tool for every blues guitarist!” reckons Höfner, and considering the Colorama features twin P90s and a solid body made of real mahogany, there’s an argument it has the most interesting spec of the lot. It’s actually based on an old Höfner model… “However!” the website reminds us, “this is no yesterday’s collector’s model, but designed for the tough live performance of today’s guitarist.” Bring it on, baby!

This electric guitar is a meisterwerk that combines a tidy build with supreme playability, and gave us a break from humbuckers with the grinding output and jagged bite of the P90s.

Verdict

Between the bend-friendly profile, the luxurious fretboard and the surprising level of sustain you get from that slim body, we’d agree that this model would cheer up the bluesmen, but it would also rule in a hard rock context and will even deliver the goods if you worship the raggedy-arsed riffs of The Libertines.

Pros: Classy materials and tone.
Cons: One of the most expensive guitars in this round-up.

Buy: Höfner Coloramais currently available from Thomann

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